ABSTRACT
In July 1972, Prime Minister Tanaka enjoyed an unprecedented level of popular support and was at the zenith of his popularity and power. It was announced on October 8, 1974, that Sato would receive the Nobel Peace Prize. This would be the highest honor that Sato received. The Norwegian Nobel Committee named his efforts toward peace in the Pacific and stopping the proliferation of nuclear weapons as the reasons for the choice. And when interviewed by the Mainichi Shimbun following the announcement of Sato’s Nobel Peace Prize, La Rocque avoided making a clear statement on the issue. Being the first Asian to receive the Nobel Peace Prize was certainly a grand achievement for Sato. But as he himself acknowledged when he said it was “inevitable” that the public should have doubts, the Japanese people with their strong aversion to nuclear weapons did not share his sense of elation.
